CELPIP® Speaking Task 4 sample: Winter craft market purchases

Making Predictions · Preparation: 30 seconds · Response: 60 seconds · Published 23 October 2026

Original practice questions in CELPIP® task formats, created independently by CELPIP Study.

Practice question

Explain what you think will most probably happen next at this market. Use the visible clues to support predictions about several people. Take 30 seconds to prepare, then speak for 60 seconds.

View from a raised corner across an indoor craft market in Stratford on a snowy December afternoon, with snow visible through windows. In the left foreground, Erin, a woman around 30 in burgundy, doubtfully studies her open coin purse beside a large handmade bowl. Beside her, a smiling woman around 30 in tan points enthusiastically at that bowl. Across the centre foreground table, Emeka, a male seller around 40 in blue, encouragingly offers a smaller bowl. In the right foreground, a worried man around 70 in grey carries a glass vase inside a paper bag whose bottom is visibly stretching. At the right centre, a concerned female seller around 50 in green reaches towards his bag with both hands. In the centre background, a delighted boy around eight in orange pulls yarn from a ball rolling towards a stack of paper gift bags. At the left background, a woman around 60 in purple pauses while stacking knitted hats and turns towards the ball. In the right background, a man around 20 in black uncertainly tilts a wide, unmarked framed print towards hanging paper stars. Beside him, a worried girl around 16 in yellow reaches towards the stars. No writing, signs or logos.

Model answers

These are transcripts of a model response, provided for comparison with your own recording.

Level 7 sample answer

122 words

I think Erin may agree for the smaller bowl because she's looking doubtfully into her coin purse. The other woman likes the large one, so they may discuss it a little longer. Emeka need to give them time to choose. On the right, the seller will probably support the paper bag before its stretched bottom gives way. She might take the vase out and wrap it again. Um, the woman stacking hats will likely stop the yarn ball because it's rolling towards the gift bags. The boy may help wind the yarn afterwards. Also, the young man will probably lower or turn his framed print. The girl is reaching towards the paper stars, so she may move them out of its path.

Why this answer is at level 7

This level 7 answer makes relevant predictions about all the main groups and is generally easy to follow. Compared with the stronger answers, its explanations are simpler, its transitions are more mechanical, and some grammar and word choices interrupt the flow.

The other woman likes the large one, so they may discuss it a little longer. — Content/Coherence: This connects the companion's preference to a plausible discussion. A stronger answer would explain the competing pressures more clearly: enthusiasm for the large bowl versus Erin's apparent concern about spending.
I think Erin may agree for the smaller bowl — Vocabulary: The prediction is understandable, but 'agree for' is an awkward expression for choosing a purchase. A higher-level answer would use a natural phrase such as 'choose the smaller bowl' and explain its appeal as an alternative.
Emeka need to give them time to choose. — Listenability: The missing verb ending briefly disrupts an otherwise straightforward sentence. The stronger answers use smoother grammar and integrate Emeka's role into the explanation of the shoppers' decision.
the seller will probably support the paper bag before its stretched bottom gives way. — Task Fulfillment: This directly predicts an action using the bag's visible condition. A higher-level answer would make the intervention more precise, for example by describing support underneath the bag or removal of the vase.

Level 9 sample answer

151 words

Erin will probably compare the two bowls before making a decision. Her doubtful look towards her coin purse suggests that cost could matter, and Emeka's smaller bowl may provide a suitable alternative. However, the woman beside her is pointing enthusiastically at the larger one, so the choice may take some discussion. On the right, the seller will likely support the older man's bag immediately. Its bottom is stretching around the vase, which gives her a clear reason to intervene before it tears. In the background, the woman with the knitted hats will probably stop the rolling yarn ball before it reaches the stacked gift bags. The boy may then need to help gather the loose yarn. Finally, the young man carrying the framed print will probably change its angle while the teenage girl holds the paper stars aside. With a little coordination, they should be able to avoid disturbing the decorations.

Why this answer is at level 9

This level 9 answer develops its predictions through clear links between visible clues and likely actions, using more natural and precise language than the level 7 example. Compared with level 11, it gives less emphasis to urgency and develops fewer conditional relationships between possible events.

However, the woman beside her is pointing enthusiastically at the larger one — Content/Coherence: The contrast explains why the smaller bowl may not settle the decision immediately. The level 11 answer goes further by organizing the scene around immediate interventions before returning to the slower purchase discussion.
Her doubtful look towards her coin purse suggests that cost could matter — Vocabulary: The wording connects an observable expression to a cautious interpretation. Compared with the simpler level 7 phrasing, it is more natural and precise; level 11 further distinguishes the inferred spending constraint from the unseen amount.
Finally, the young man carrying the framed print will probably change its angle — Listenability: The transition and clear identification of the person make the shift easy to follow. The level 11 answer makes this movement more purposeful by introducing the frame as an obstacle and explaining the possible consequence.
Its bottom is stretching around the vase, which gives her a clear reason to intervene before it tears. — Task Fulfillment: This explicitly links the seller's likely intervention to the visible risk, strengthening the prediction. Level 11 adds practical detail about how she might protect the vase and treats this as the most urgent event.

Level 11 sample answer

164 words

The most immediate response will probably come from the seller reaching towards the older man's bag. Because its bottom is visibly stretching around the glass vase, she'll likely support it from underneath or remove the vase before the paper gives way. Near the centre background, the woman who has paused her hat stacking will probably intercept the rolling yarn ball before it reaches the gift bags. Once it's stopped, she may encourage the boy to help wind the loose yarn back up. The framed print presents another small obstacle: unless the young man changes its angle, it could catch the hanging paper stars. I'd expect the girl to hold them aside while he lowers or turns the frame. Erin's decision may take longer. Her attention to her coin purse suggests a spending constraint, although the available amount isn't visible. Emeka's smaller bowl could offer a compromise, but the other woman's enthusiasm for the larger one may prolong their discussion before a purchase is made.

Why this answer is at level 11

This level 11 answer combines detailed predictions with clear priorities and carefully qualified reasoning. It distinguishes urgent risks from a slower purchasing decision, explains how people may coordinate, and uses precise language while keeping each prediction connected to visible clues.

The most immediate response will probably come from the seller reaching towards the older man's bag. — Content/Coherence: The opening establishes urgency and gives the response a clear organizing principle. It prioritizes the threatened vase before moving through the other incidents and ending with Erin's less immediate decision.
Her attention to her coin purse suggests a spending constraint, although the available amount isn't visible. — Vocabulary: The precise expression 'spending constraint' captures the likely concern efficiently. The qualification distinguishes what Erin's behavior suggests from what can actually be observed, making the interpretation measured.
The framed print presents another small obstacle — Listenability: This compact transition names the next issue and prepares the listener for its explanation. It helps the response flow between separate groups without relying only on a sequence of location labels.
unless the young man changes its angle, it could catch the hanging paper stars. — Task Fulfillment: This explains a plausible consequence of the frame's position through a clear condition. The following prediction about the girl holding the stars aside then supplies a coordinated solution grounded in their visible actions.

What moves an answer from 7 to 9 to 11

These are model answers written to show each level. The labels are practice estimates, not examiner scores.

Connect each prediction to visible evidence. Explain plausible next events and use language of likelihood instead of presenting guesses as facts.

Content/Coherence: Level 7 models communicate the main ideas; level 9 models develop relevant details with clear connections; level 11 models sustain precise, well-integrated development.
Vocabulary: Compare adequate everyday wording with more varied, accurate choices at level 9 and flexible, precise expression at level 11.
Listenability: Higher-level delivery needs clear pronunciation, rhythm, intonation and controlled pauses. Transcripts suggest phrasing and organisation, but cannot demonstrate these audio features; a recording is needed.
Task Fulfillment: Compare how fully the response addresses the request, develops enough relevant detail and maintains an appropriate tone for the audience within the task limits.

Assess the criteria together. A longer answer or rarer words alone do not establish a higher level.

Answer this question and get your level